R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

It seems that Christmas is becoming aromatic (as in a few days from now will be Christmas).

As I was strolling at a department store, people were busy buying merchandise, gifts, I am sure to give to their loved ones and others who are close to them.

For me, the kind of gift that I am going to give during this Christmas season is not an ordinary gift which others are very familiar with. It is just four letters.

R – Respect. Everybody needs to be respected, even little ones and those we consider useless. I respect your opinion because that is yours, and nobody can argue with you. I respect your idea and everything in you. I respect them. The next letter:

O – Openness. I’m open to all possibilities. In other words, becoming flexible in all things with my faith in Christ as my strong foundation in life especially with my relationship with others. I am open to criticism because that gives me strong determination, and this enables me to grow stronger as a person. I’m open to all advices and what others want me to do. The next letter:

S – Sensitivity. I can easily understand your feeling at the moment. If you are angry, then, I will not disturb you. The last letter:

E – Empathy. I am willing to join you in your feelings.  If you are sad, then, I will not laugh at your sadness. If you cry, then, I will cry too so that there will be few tears to come in your eyes.

What do we get if we are going to combine them?  We get a flower called ROSE which symbolizes love. So during this season of Christmas and the rest of the year, I will try to give ROSE even if no one likes it any longer.

In our gospel today, Elizabeth cried in a loud voice Mary visited her: “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy,” and for Elizabeth, this is one of the greatest gifts that she received throughout her life, to be greeted by the Mother of the Lord.  The JOY continues as Elizabeth sees, touches, tastes and hears the things Mary has done. Jesus too begins His life by giving Joy. Even before He is born, Jesus’ presence brings joy to the people.

All mothers are special before God. But His mother, despite her privileged calling of being the mother of Jesus, Mary was not some outstanding beauty nor some prominent matron of the Nazareth Women’s Club. For thirty years she did what every mother did: she cooked, cleaned the house, washed the clothes, worked in the garden and carried water and firewood.

From all aspects she was an ordinary woman and yet she is honored as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. She  conceived without sin and the perfect woman. Why? Because in the eyes of God, the type of the work or position we occupy has no special value. One kind of job is just as good as another. What really matters in the eyes of God is why we do the work. Mary did it for only one thing – to be of service to her Son Jesus Christ. Though her work was ordinary, she did it in extraordinary way. She did it in a humble way. I salute Mama Mary and I am happy to offer her a ROSE because of her dedication and love for the Lord.

I  share this happiness with you because as a Christian we should be a joyful person. JOY is an essential mark of Christianity and a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. We are JOYFUL for the reason that it is through God’s loving GRACE that He pours out to us continuously; we are asked to inspire others.

This JOY needs to be shared.  If it is shared, it becomes a double joy.  If I am going to share my joy to others, others may become happy and the joy will remain in me. A joyful person contaminates others. For me, real joy is found only in His very presence and in our midst, His presence in creation, in the sacraments and in other people. His presence can bring peace where there is anxiety, sharing where there is selfishness and dreams where there is despair. In other words, it is Grace to give joy to others just like what Mary did to Elizabeth.

There are three names of women that I would like for you to always keep in mind: Rose, Grace and Joy.  Of those three, Remember it is God that offers you the Rose.  INDEED, THERE IS REAL JOY DURING CHRISTMAS this Christmas Season……. FOR THE LORD HAS COME GIVING US HIS GRACE…..HE IS EMMANUEL – GOD IS WITH US.

Deacon Antonio Falasca, Jr., Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

In the parish the small group of lay persons who reach out to the sick, home bound, and nursing homes are seeking a special title to call the group.  The have been thinking about calling themselves the Visitation of Mary.  When I first heard of the possible new name for the group (Visitation of Mary) I liked the name very much.  The more I thought about it though, I liked it even more.  After all, the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth is the second joyful mystery of the Rosary.  We are privileged to have in our minor basilica a stained-glass window of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.  I spent a moment standing before that window.  You see the two women meeting each other.  Elizabeth is the older and Mary the younger.  They are in the ordinary dress of the day.  Mary has a shoulder bag, showing that she was traveling for about 100 miles to visit her cousin, now in the sixth month of pregnancy in her more mature years with John the Baptist in her womb.  Mary is also bearing within her the newly-conceived Jesus — the very Son of God.  Elizabeth is humbled by the visit.  “Who am I that the mother of the Lord should visit me?” And then at that very moment Mary becomes fully aware that she carries within her Jesus, Savior, and says, “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

Yes, this great mystery that the Church calls the visitation is about life itself.  It is about your life.  The challenge with God’s grace is for you to live out the mystery of God who visits his people to rescue us from sin, darkness and death and to save us!  Let Him therefore visit you in your soul and heart and then glorify Him in all that you do and in all that you are — so that you may say about your life, as inadequate as you may feel, “My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.  The Visitation!

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

Today’s Sacred Scripture readings begin with these words, “Thus says the LORD: You Bethlehem – Ephrathah, too small, [too insignificant] to be counted among the clans of Judah”.

Let’s apply these words to our lives. How often have you or I felt too insignificant; too small to be counted?

The Blessed Mother was no different. She was an unknown, common peasant girl betrothed to an older man. All was progressing uneventfully until the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that she had been chosen by God to conceive a child by the Power of the Most High and give birth to the Son of God. Her role in the salvation of the world is hidden until her Fiat; until she responds, “Let it be done to me according to Thy will”. And, with that affirmation the universe will be forever changed and Salvation shall come upon humanity. Even after Gabriel’s announcement the Blessed Mother can not quite fathom how this can be. Yet, she put her total trust in God’s Divine Plan for the salvation of the world and, through her faith and trust in God the Holy Spirit came upon her and the Word was made Flesh.

Mary’s question of the Angel Gabriel was not one of doubt but, rather, one of wonder, amazement, and awe. Who? Me? And, how often do we echo her sentiment; sometimes in faith; sometimes with a hint of doubt. “Who: Us”?

There are questions each of us often ask; yet, we quickly rationalize our inaction by saying, “I’m too small, too insignificant to make a difference. What can one person do?”

But, in the face of doubt and fear of the unknown, what is necessary is that each of us cries out to God with heartfelt affirmation, “Here am I LORD; I come to do your will, O God” (Heb 10:6).

Prayer places us in the presence of God. The God of the Universe, Who is not bound by time or space, permits us to be one with Him, especially in the Eucharistic. When we pray, we enter into His presence. All limits of time are erased. God is with us; in the here and now and for all time.

Many of our Sacred Scripture readings are framed in words that are in the past tense. Often we hear phrases like, “In those days”; or “God chose our ancestors”. Those past tense words can cause us to think of the Scriptures as only historical books to be studied and contemplated. But, Scripture is alive and is meant for generations of all time; in the here and now. Salvation is not a “past tense” experience but a “NOW” moment; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

For the past three weeks our sacred readings have used words like, “Days are coming”; “There will be signs in anticipation of what is coming”; “Prepare the way of the Lord”; “One mightier than I is coming”.  But, today’s Sacred Gospel account is as if it were delivered by Elizabeth just today.  While today is called the 4^th Sunday of Advent, might I propose it be referred to as “The Sunday of Service” for today’s Gospel account reveals Mary as a model of a servant? Holy Mother Church, rather than preaching more anticipation of the salvation of the world unfolds the reason for Christ’s coming. Christ came to serve and gives us Mary’s actions to prefigure those of her Son’s witness to serve the least among us.

Today’s Gospel reading tells us “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country…” More past-tense words. But, let us listen attentively to how quickly the words move from past to present tense.

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the infant leaped in her womb and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” All of a sudden, the text exudes action. “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

And, if we were to read the next verse from Sacred Scripture the Blessed Virgin Mary responds to Elizabeth with the Magnificat; “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior”. And her prayer is filled with present tense acclamations. “The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy IS his name. His mercy IS from age to age; remembering his mercy from age to age”.

Our parish has many opportunities for us to serve the people of God in many different capacities. Many of us are generous, especially with donations to the poor. Our Saint Vincent DePaul Society serves as a beacon for the less fortunate of the area.  There are many other opportunities to serve as well. In fact, our parish recently published a booklet listing the various organizations, societies, and clubs and their particular activities that all have one core purpose; to serve the people of God. Throughout the year, our parish family has responded to times of crisis with donations of all kinds. While these material goods are tangible ways for us to share with the less fortunate, it is the personal care that accompanies each that really means a lot to those on the receiving end.

We are the here; we are the now; we are the ones who are called to make a difference in this world.  Let us continue to model our love, care, and concern for others during this Christmas time and beyond and let us make the words of the Magnificat be our words as we personally say, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD; my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.” May each of us be thankful for the opportunities God gives us to serve others if even in the smallest and seemingly insignificant capacity.

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

Thus says the LORD:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
and the rest of his kindred shall return
to the children of Israel.
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
and they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.

Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.
Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll,
behold, I come to do your will, O God.’“

First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings,
holocausts and sin offerings,
you neither desired nor delighted in.”
These are offered according to the law.
Then he says, :Behold, I come to do your will.”
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this “will,”  we have been consecrated
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.